Play center having table, swing, slide and gymnastic bars

ABSTRACT

A play center for home yard, patio, or recreation room use by preschool and grade school age children designed and constructed to encourage innovative play as well as conventional usage by such children. The play center is a fabricated structure composed of six main tubular frames; three novel platform assemblies providing a table, associated bench seats and a slide approach platform; a slide board; a swing; and variously disposed tubular cross braces and wide step structures forming ground or floor engaging outrigger members to prevent upsetting of the assembled unit, swing supports, chinning and gymnastic bars, steps and seats. These fabricated elements and subassemblies are joined together to form an assembled unit of generally cubical configuration when viewed from the sides and opposite ends and the ground or floor area, measuring roughly 3 feet by 7 feet, delimited by the main frame subassemblies which cooperates with the main frame subassemblies, table and associated benches to form a house area and tunnellike passage in innovative usage by preschool children.

llnite States [72] Inventors Edward T. Carlin;

Bobbie L. White, both of Shreveport, La. [21 Appl. No. 863,603 [22]Filed Oct. 3, 1969 [45] Patented Aug. 24, 1971 [73] Assignee Gym-Dandy,Inc.

Bossier City, La.

[54] ELAY CENTER HAVING TABLE, SWING, SLIDE AND GYMNASTIC BARS 10Claims, 18 Drawing Figs.

[52] 11.8. C1 272/56.5 R, 272/60, 272/62, 272/85, 297/157, 108/50 [51]lint. C1 A63b 17/00 [50] Field of Search 272/60, 56.5, 57, 62

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,126,082 1/1915 Reach272/60 3,120,955 2/1964 Carlin 272/60 Primary Examiner-Anton O. OechsleAssistant Examiner-Richard Dror Att0mey-Strauch, Nolan, Neale, Nies &Kurz ABSTRACT: A play center for home yard, patio, or recreation roomuse by preschool and grade school age children designed and constructedto encourage innovative play as well as conventional usage by suchchildren. The play center is a fabricated structure composed of six maintubular frames; three novel platform assemblies providing a table,associated bench seats and a slide approach platform; a slide board; aswing; and variously disposed tubular cross braces and wide stepstructures forming ground or floor engaging outrigger members to preventupsetting of the assembled unit, swing supports, chinning and gymnasticbars, steps and seats. These fabricated elements and subassemblies arejoined together to form an assembled unit of generally cubicalconfiguration when viewed from the sides and opposite ends and theground or floor area, measuring roughly 3 feet by 7 feet, delimited bythe main frame subassemblies which cooperates with the main framesubassemblies, table and associated benches to form a house area andtunnellike passage in innovative usage by preschool children.

PATENTEU AUG24 I97! FIG. I

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INVENTOR5 EDWARD T CARLIN BOBBIE L.WH|TE ATTORNEY5 PATENTEU AUG24|97|3,601,397.

sum 2 0F 7 75 FIG 3 INVENTORS EDWARD T. CARLIN BOBBIE L,WHITE ATTOR hYSPATENTED 10241971 3,601; 3.97

sum 3 [1F 7 INVENTORS EDWARD T. CARLIN BOBBIE L.WH!TE ATTORNEYS PATENIEDM824 Ian saw u or 7 INVENTOR',

fl fiwn ATTORNF E k EDWARD T. CARLIN BOBBIE L. WHITE PATENTEDAuB24|9n3.601397 SHEET 5 OF '7 FIG I2 INVENTORI) EDWARD T. CARLIN BOBBIE L.WH|TEPATENTEuAus24|91| 3501.897

SHEET 6 OF 7 III/Ill I lI/I/I/I FIG 13 FIG. I4

INVENTORS EDWARD T. CARLIN BOBBIE LWHITE OR EYS PATENTEU AUB24|97|3,601;

sum 7 BF 7 FIG I6 FIG I7 FIG I6 INVENTOR EDWARD T. CARLIN BOBBIE L.WH|TEATTOR 5 PLAY CENTER HAVING TABLE, SWING, SLIDE AND GYMNASTIC BARSBACKGROUND OF INVENTION For the past 30 years the play centers offeredto the public have generally employed a main frame of heavy tubularmembers formed by a pair of end A-frames connected at their apexes by atie bar having straplike reinforcement members interconnecting itsopposite ends to the upper ends of the legs of the A-frarne exemplifiedby U.S. Letters Pat. No. 2,800,949 to l. Horowitz issued July 30, 1957.This main frame tie bar has served to suspendingly mount swings, chainsupported gym bars, gliders, and a device widely known as a Skyscooter"in side-by-side spaced relation and in some cases these conventionalmain frames have had sliding board assemblies mounted on the outer sidefaces on one of the end A- frames. For the most part, the length, width,height, and tubular size of these A-frame units have been designed ofsuch magnitude to assure structural strength and stability that the playcenters have been largely limited to yard usage because of their spacerequirements and these units afford little, if any,

play activities other than that provided by the equipment suspended fromthe main frame. As a consequence, the inherent make believe orinnovative nature of the children for which they are designed isnot'satisfied by such-play equipment and the children soon become tiredor bored with such play centers. In the past additional pieces ofequipment have been offered to satisfy the childrens desire forclimbing, a

play house, tunnelling, and picnic activity. The present constructionand the lighter weight tubular stock from which it can be constructedwith structural strength and stability required for safety, provides forthe first time a play center which may be set up for use indoors as wellas in the home yard and is offered for use on covered patios, recreationrooms, or even spare rooms of homes and apartments to afford playcenters useful even in inclement weather and a unit which may be readilymoved from place to place when desired. In addition, the single unit ofthe present invention provides for climbing activities, picnicactivities and innumerable innovative activities such as tunnelling,play house activities, a ranger lookout station, and the like.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION It, accordingly is a primary object of thisinvention to provide a childrens play center which provides the childrennot only with the usual swing, glider, sliding board, and gym baractivities but a picnic area, a climber, and innovative activities suchas play house activities, lookout station activities, tunnelling andother play activities which are generated in the seeking, imaginativeminds of children of the preschool and grade school age group.

Another important object of the present invention is to proport theupper end of a sliding board and a sliding board approach platform.

Still another object of the present invention resides in constructingthe cross frame assembly above the outrigger stabilizing run at theother side with laterally spaced, vertically extending runs connected atvertically spaced intervals with laterally directed step members spacedvertically between the I ground level and the upper tubular run of thecross frame asterfitted ends, the lower ground engaging crossmembersbeing vide an antitilt stabilized play center for children composed of apair of identical side frame members having support runs assuring linecontact with a support surface, a cross frame assembly interconnectingthe side frame members medially thereof and providing outrigger, groundor floor engaging, lateral, stabilizing runs providing line contact withsaid support surface laterally outwardly of said side frame members, andrespective end frame assemblies interconnecting the side frame ends andproviding outrigger, ground or floor engaging longitudinal stabilizingruns providing line contact with said support surface outwardly of theopposite ends of said play center.

A further object of the present invention resides in constructing thecross frame assembly above the outrigger stabilizing run at one sidewith laterally spaced vertically extending tubular runs connected atvertically spaced intervals with laterally directed step members spacedvertically between the ground level and midheight and a pair oflaterally spaced, upwardly longitudinally directed, generally U-hapedsupport bars cooperating with the laterally spaced vertical runs tosupoffset laterally outwardly beyond the upper crossmembers to enablethe upper crossmembers to be used respectively as a swing support and/orchinning and gym bar with the lower outward offset ground engagingcrossmembers arranged to provide line contact with a support surfaceoperative to resist the tilting forces of the play center when the swingmoves outwardly in its swinging movement or the upper crossmember isused for chinning and gymnastic activities.

Another object of the present invention resides in providing a novelstrap connector for securing the upper loop end of a swing supportstrap, rope or the like against relative axial and rotational movementwith respect to the upper run of the end frame assembly.

Still another object of the present invention resides in providing anovel platform assembly composed of a pair of opposed channellikesupport rails and one or more channellike platform members fixedly endfitted into the opposed channels of the support rails without the needof separable fasteners of any kind.

A still further object of the present invention resides in mounting avertically spaced pair of platform assemblies formed according to theprevious object in vertically spaced relation to the lower runs of oneend frame assembly and the adjacently related end runs of said sideframe assemblies, the upper of said platform assemblies comprising apair of platform members adjacently centered with respect to an opposedpair of support rails to form a table and the lower of said platformassemblies comprising a pair of platform members respectively connectedto the adjacent opposed ends of a longer pair of support rails to formrespective bench type seats extending in longitudinal parallelism tosaid table platform members.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Additional objects will appear from thefollowing description and appended claims when read in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a play center according to the presentinvention showing several children playing, some indulging in innovativeactivities encouraged by the novel unit of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an end view of the play center of FIG. 1 as viewed from theleft of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an end view of the play center as viewed from the right ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the play center of FIG. 1 as viewed from theside opposite that shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a side view of one of the two main side frame assembliesshowing the manner of assembly thereof;

FIG. 6 is a front view of the cross frame assembly main frame sectionthe opposite vertical runs and the oppositely inturned runs of whichform a part of the outrigger stabilizing structure for preventing sidetilting of the play center;

FIG. 7 is an end view of one of the two end frame assemblies, the lowercross run of which is offset to the right with respect to the uppercross run as seen in FIG. 7 thereby adapting the end frame assembly toserve as an outrigger stabilizing structure for preventing end tiltingof the play center;

FIG. 8 illustrates a tubular reinforcing frame assembly for completingand reinforcing the cross frame assembly when associated with the mainframe section of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a fragmental longitudinal sectional view through the end frameupper cross run to illustrate the novel swing strap connector of thepresent invention;

FIG. 10 is a view similar to that of FIG. 9 illustrating an alternatestrap connector clamp bolt provided to conceal the threaded bolt end ofassociated nut midway within the upper end loop of the swing strap;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the platform construction of thepresent invention arranged with adjacently centered platform members toform the table or slide approach platform of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken on the line l2-l2 of FIG. 11 andlooking in the direction of the arrows to illustrate the axial lockingassociation of the button punch interlock formations of the platformmembers with the inturned lip of the support rails and the laterallocking association of the inturned lips of the platform members withthe opposing wall of the notches formed in the rolled edge of the lowersupport rail flanges;

FIG. 13 is atop plan view of the novel wide tread, injection molded,plastic ladder steps provided by the present invention to assure readyassembly and final tightening of the round headed securing bolts withthe concealed nuts;

FIG. 14 is a front quarter section of the step of FIG. 13 to illustratethe transverse reinforcing rib structure provided between the dependingfront and rear walls of the step and the thickened vertical reinforcingrib formed along the length of the ladder rail sockets provided at theopposite ends of the steps;

FIG. 15 is a bottom plan view of the ladder step of FIG. 13;

FIG. 16 is an end view as seen from the right end of FIG. 13;

FIG. 17 is a sectional view taken on line 17l7 of FIG. 14 looking in thedirection of the arrows; and

FIG. 18 is a sectional view taken on line l8l8 of FIG. 14 looking in thedirection of the arrows.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With continued reference to thedrawings wherein the same reference numerals are used throughout theseveral views to indicate the same parts, the play center of the presentinvention comprises a skeletal main frame 20 made up ofa pair ofidentical side frame assemblies 21 (FIG. 5), a single cross frameassembly 22 (FIG. 6), a pair of identical end frame assemblies 23 (FIGS.2, 3 and 7) having ground engaging outboard cross runs stabilizing mainframe 20 against endwise tilting, and a reinforcing truss assembly 24(FIG. 8) forming with the end portions of cross frame assembly 22 in thefinal assembly of main frame 20 respective oppositely laterallyextending, outrigger frame sections stabilizing main frame 20 againstsidewise tilting. Assembled main frame 20 is arranged to suspend a swingassembly 30 from the upper cross run of a first end frame assembly 23;to support between the side runs of the second end frame assembly 23 andthe adjacently related end runs of the two side frame assemblies 21 amultiuse platform assemblage 27, 28, serving alternately as a picnictable-bench unit, a crawl through play tunnel, a walk across stile, anda two sided step ladder to gain access to the upper cross run of theother end frame assembly 23 and the adjacently right angularly relatedupper side frame runs designed for use as a chinning and swing bar andparallel bars for performing gymnastic exercises; to support between theoutrigger frame section at one side and the adjacently related runs of afirst side frame assembly 21 and the vertical side run of the first endsection frame assembly 23 a sliding board approach ladder, approachplatform 26, and sliding board 29 assembly; and to support between thevertical runs of the outrigger frame section at the other side staggeredwide tread ladder steps 25 alternately used as a ladder to gain accessto the upper runs of main frame 20 used as a play lookout tower, treehouse or the like with the wide tread steps being also used as seatswhen playing imaginative games of war, cowboys and indians, forestrangers, and the like. Each of the frame assemblies 21, 22, 23 and 24are formed of angularly related runs of tubular pipe stock the ends ofwhich are adapted to be telescopically connected and fixedly boltedtogether by the purchaser so the parts may be boxed and shipped inknocked down form to conserve shipping space and minimize shipping andhandling costs. These various units may be selectively dimensioned toserve the needs of children of preschool age or older. In either casethe construction of the overall structure as well as the respectiveframe assemblies will be identical except for pipe stock sizes anddimensions, larger and heavier pipe stock being used in the larger sizeunits to assure adequate strength and safety. The following detaileddescription will be directed to a preschool age play center thedimensions given being exemplary only.

Referring for the moment to FIG. 5 illustrating in detail one of the twoside frame assemblies 21 required, a generally U- shaped ground engagingmember 32 having a ground engaging straight run 33 of approximately 11inches in length and upwardly divergent straight runs 34 ofapproximately 12% inches in length integrally joined by curvedtransition sections 35 defining respective included angles of (See angleA) is provided. The upper end of each divergent run 34 is telescopedinto a respective long leg 36 of an inverted generally L-shaped member37 and through bolted thereto as indicated at 38 by a bolt and nutassembly preferably comprising a rounded kerfed bolt head and a cap nutto minimize exposed sharp corners and edges that might scratch and cutthe playing children. The short leg 39 of each member 37 defines withits related long leg 36 an included angle of 80 (See angle B) and isintegrally joined thereto by a curved transition section 41. Thestraight run of long legs 36 is roughly 42 inches and the straight runof the short legs 39 is roughly 8 inches. The oppositely inwardlydirected short legs 39 telescopically receive the opposite ends of aninverted wide V-shaped cross tubular member 42 defining an includedangle of (See angle C) having its inserted ends and the enclosing endsof legs 39 vertically through drilled at 40 (FIG. 5) adapting them toreceive bolt and nut assemblies of the type heretofore described. Asbest seen in FIG. 5, the curved transition section of tubular member 42is horizontally through drilled at 43 for bolted connection to frameassembly 24 as will be hereinafter described. The straight run 33 ofmember 32 is also vertically through drilled at 44 midway ofits ends forbolted connection to the ground engagingruns of frame assembly 22 aswill presently appear. While the dimensions and angles of side frameassemblies 21 may be varied to provide larger play centers, thedimensions and angles given provide side frame assemblies 21 having anoverall height of about 5 feet 2 inches adequate to provide a playcenter of about 7 feet total height.

Referring next to FIG. 6, illustrating in detail the main frame section49 ofthe cross frame assembly 22, it will be seen that main framesection 49 is composed of an upper straight run 51 the opposite ends ofwhich are telescoped into the ends of respective right-angled cornermembers 52 and are through bolted to the horizontal run thereof at 38 bybolt and nut assemblies of the type heretofore described, a pair ofrespective vertical runs 53 having their upper ends telescoped into therespective vertical runs of corner members 52 to which they are throughbolted at 38 to the respective vertical runs of a pair of groundengaging right-angled, corner members 54 as will presently appear. Thehorizontal runs of members 54 terminate in opposingly spaced free ends55 which are flattened out, upwardly arched and through drilledvertically adapting them to overly and be through bolted at 38 (FIG. 1)to the midpoint of the ground engaging straight run 33 of the respectiveside frame assemblies 21 by nut and bolt assemblies of the typepreviously described in the final assembly of the play center. The upperstraight run 51 of the main frame section 49 is horizontally throughdrilled at 56 at its midpoint adapting it for through bolted connectionto the cross truss member of reinforcing truss assembly 24 of FIG. 8which will be presently described. The horizontal runs of groundengaging corner members 54 are also horizontally through drilledinwardly from free ends 55 at equispaced points 57 adapting the cornermembers 54 for bolted connection to the ground engaging members ofreinforcing truss assembly 24 to be presently described. The upper rightend corner member 52 of main frame section 49 is further through drilledat 58 adapting it for bolted connection to the reinforcing trussassembly 24 as will presently appear. The tubular elements 51 and 53 forthe small dimensioned play center here illustrated are respectivelygiven an axial length to assure an overall height of 68 /2 inches and anoverall width of 7 feet 2% inches to the main frame section 49 while theground engaging runs of comer members 54 are of a length to dispose freeends 55 to be connected to side frame runs 33 an equal distance of about22% inches inwardly of the respective vertical runs 53 of main framesection 49. This dimensioning of main frame section 49 assures anadequate lateral extension of main frame section 49 beyond the sideframe assemblies 21 to form outrigger reinforcing frame sections andabove the side frame assemblies 21 to respectively resist sidewisetilting of the play center as finally assembled and a truss structure,when assembled with truss assembly 24, that will rigidly support theside frame assemblies 21 in predetermined laterally spaced relation;about 29 inches in the small play center depicted.

Referring now to the truss assembly 24 of FIG. 8, it comprises a pair ofidentical U-shaped ground engaging members 61 the legs of which extendvertically to respectively receive a pair of equilength vertical runs 62and a third vertical run 62 and a half length vertical run 63 the lowerends of which telescope into legs of the respective ground engagingmembers of upper straight run 51 will align with drilled passage 57 inthe straight run 67 of cross truss member 65 enabling the run 51 andtruss member to be through bolted together as indicated at 38 in FIGS.1, 2, and 3. At the same time the inner most through drilled passages inthe horizontal run of corner members 52 will align with the throughdrilled openings 57 in the telescoped ends of innermost runs 62 anddependent truss member legs 64 enabling these three parts to be throughbolted together at 38 as indicated in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 to completecross frame assembly 22. It will be appreciated from the precedingdescription, that the lateral outrigger ends of cross frame assembly 22constitute rigid reinforced end sections interconnected by an equallyrigid cross run 51 as a result of the three bolted connections of trussmember 65 and the bolted interconnection of cross run 51 and theoutermost full height vertical run 62 as seen at the right side of FIGS.1 and 2.

This reinforcing cross frame assembly 22 is then raised to itsupstanding position as seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 and the side frameassemblies 21 previously described are then respectively set in positionwith ground engaging runs 33 beneath the arched ends 55 ofcorner members54 and the midpoint of side frame cross tubular member 42 crossing andabutting the inner face of the respective innermost vertical runs 62 oftruss assembly 24 which are through drilled at the point of crossadapting the cross tubular member to be through bolted thereto asindicated at 38 in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. The free ends of 61 and are throughbolted thereto as indicated at 38 by nut and bolt assemblies of the typeheretofore described. Truss assembly 24 is completed by telescoping theends of respective ladder steps 25 onto vertical runs 6262 in laterallystaggered, vertically spaced relation and to vertical runs 62-63 inlaterally staggered, vertically spaced relation as depicted in FIG. 8and telescopically inserting the upper ends of the innermost verticalruns 62 into the dependent legs 64 of a cross truss member 65 andthrough bolting the telescoped ends thereto as will presently be pointedout. Preferably the steps are through bolted in their final verticallocations by nut and bolt assemblies 60 entered through laterallyaligned passages 57 formed in the lower ends of steps 25 and verticalruns 6263 as shown in FIG. 14. Each of the ground engaging members 61are through drilled at 57 at laterally spaced intervals to match thethrough drilled openings 57 of the ground engaging members 54 of mainframe section 49, which are preferably through bolted to members 61prior to assembly of vertical runs 57 of the main frame section 49 asshown in dotdash lines in FIG. 8. Cross truss member 65 is formed withdownwardly and inwardly inclined runs 66 defining with the dependentlegs 64 an included acute angle having their lower ends integrallyjoined with a straight cross run 67 through drilled midway of its lengthat 57 for a purpose to be presently pointed out. The included angledefined by runs 66 and the length of runs 66 and vertical runs 62 are sochosen as to assure that straight run 67 will lie in adjacentside-by-side relation to upper straight run 51 of main frame section 49upon completing the cross frame assembly 22 as will now be described.

Partially assembled main frame section 49 (lacking comer member 54previously through bolted to members 60 of truss assembly 24) isassembled with truss assembly 24 by entering the lower ends of runs 53through the free ends of the outermost laterally outwardly disposedsteps 25 and inserted into the upstanding legs of the respective cornermembers 54 and through bolted thereto at 38 (See FIG. I and 6). In thispartially assembled relation the center through drilled passage 56arched ends 55 of corner members 55 are then through bolted to therespective runs 33 of the side frame assemblies 21 as indicated at 38 inFIG. 1 to complete the assembly of side frame assemblies 21 and crossframe assembly 22.

Side frame spacer struts 71 having flattened and upwardly arched ends 55are then through bolted at 38 respectively to cross tubular member 42using the vertical through drilled passages 72 (FIG. 5) and the throughdrilled ends 55 of struts 71 to fix the lateral spacing of the sideframe assemblies 21.

Further fixing of the spacing of side frame assemblies 21 andrigidification of the side frame assemblies is effected by the pair ofend frame assemblies 23 (FIG. 7) which will now be described in detail.These end frame assemblies are of identical constructure and eachcomprise a U-shaped ground engaging member 75, an upper U-shapedcrossmember 76 and a pair of wide V-shaped tubular side runs 77 definingan included angle of about The leg portions 78 of the U- shaped members75 and 76 telescope into the opposite ends of the side tubular runs 77and are respectively through bolted together, the legs of member 75 atthe right end being through bolted together as indicated at 38 in FIGS.1 and 7. U-shaped members 75 and 76 are designed so that theirrespective legs will be spaced apart about 29 inches adapting them toimpart to side tubular runs 77 a relative lateral spacing equal to thatof the side frame assemblies previously described. The straight run 79of each side tubular run 77 is about 2 feet in length while the upperstraight run 81 of each side tubular member 77 is about I4 inchesthereby assuring that the ground engaging straight run of each member 75will be offset outwardly beyond the straight run of its associated uppercrossmember 76 as indicated by the dot-dash line 82 of FIG. 7 for apurpose to be presently pointed out.

Each of the straight runs 81, about I inch and about 10 inches inwardlyfrom its free end, is through drilled in the plane defined by the axesof its respective straight runs 79 and 81 to mate with similarly spaceddrilled passages provided in the straight runs 36 of side frameassemblies 21 adjacent their inner ends adapting the side tubular runs77 to be through bolted at spaced points 38 (FIGS. 1, 2, and 3) to undersides of the runs 36 of side frame assemblies 21. The upper boltedconnection in each case also secures the telescoped ends of side tubularruns 77 to the associated leg portions 78 of upper crossmember 76. Thisbolted connection of end frame assemblies 23 with side frame assemblies21 disposes runs 79 and 36 of the respective end frame assemblies andside frame assemblies in downward divergent relation as best shown inFIG. 1

It will be appreciated from the preceding description that the playcenter frame 20 in its assembled condition not only delimits a play areaon the ground or other support surface but defines skeletal side andsloping top walls defining a play space above the ground play area whichcan, by use of suitable cover and wall materials, such as canvas orplastic sheeting, form a play house when desired. At the same time thisskeletal frame 20 provides a stable, tilt resisting, support structurecapable of use as a climbing and gymnastic workout structure, as alookout or ranger tower and as a support for swings, a sliding board, apicnic table and bench set which also provides a stilelike step ladderand crawl tunnel, and many other play activities which the imaginativechild will conceive.

To provide these further play activities, the present inven tioncontemplates that the steps 25 be of unique construction to serve asseats as well as steps, that the upper cross member 76 of the end frameassemblies be formed to fixedly support strap or ropelike swingsupports, that one of the outrigger sections providing steps for thefull height provide a ladder for climbing or access to the top of thestructure, that the other outrigger section providing steps for half theheight provide an access ladder to slide approach platform and slidefixedly mounted to the outrigger structure and adjacently related outersides of the side and one end frame assembly to serve also as acounterbalancing weight to resist tilting forces due to use of thecrossbar of the opposite end assembly as a chinning and swing bar, andthat the area defined by the divergent runs of the other end frameassembly and the adjacently related ends of the side frame assembliesprovide a support for tablebench platform structures which provide acrawl through tunnel, a stilelike step ladder providing access to thecrossbar of the other end frame assembly, and a counterbalancing weightto resist tilting forces due to use of the swing suspended from theupper crossbar of the opposite end frame assembly as well as a picnictable and benches. FIG. 1 depicting a group ofchil dren turned loose andunobtrusively photographed while using the play center of this inventionclearly illustrates some of the innovative play activity engendered bythis invention.

Referring for the moment to FIGS. 9 and 10 of the drawings, there areillustrated in cross section two similar swing suspension structureswhich this invention contemplates. In both cases, the sectioned tubularmember 91 comprises the straight upper cross run of one of thecrossmembers 76 of an end frame assembly 23. Tubular crossmember 91 atlaterally spaced points 92 (See FIG. 3) is through drilled at 93 throughthe upper wall only (FIG. 9) and through drilled outwardly from passages93 through both walls to from aligned passages 94 (FIG. 9) adapted tofreely pass the straight shank 95 ofa rodlike L-bolt the shank end 96 ofwhich is threaded to receive a nut 97, preferably a domed nut to housethe sharp thread edges. The free head end of the L-bolts is providedwith a dependent lug 100 fitted into the passages 93 to fix the bolthead against lateral movement relative to crossmember 91. The swingsuspension member, a straplike fabric member, providing an attachmentloop 98 by stitching its turned back free end crosswise at 99 to anaxially spaced area, is tclcscoped over the free ends of crossmember 91before the end frame assembly 21 is assembled. After assembly, the loop98 is positioned in overlying encircling relation to the portion ofcrossmember 9| lying between passages 93 and 94 and the shank 95 of thcl.-holt is passed through passages 94 to dispose the rodlike head I01 inoverlying clamping relation to the loop 98. Upon applying nut 97 andthreading it home, head 101 will be drawn tightly down upon theunderlying portion of loop 98 clamping the loop portion between thecovered portion of crossmember 91 and head 101. Since all surfacescontacting the fabric loop 98 are smooth and rounded and of substantialarea, the clamped section of loop 98 will be firmly fixed against bothaxial and rotational movement relative to tubular member 91 and swingingwill merely flex the free portions of the straplike members back andforth. Little or no wear will be experienced assuring a long useful lifeof the suspension strap.

The structure of FIG. 10 is substantially the same and the common partshave, therefore, been given the same reference number. The soledifference is that tubular member 91 is drilled to form an entrancepassage 94 through the upper wall and the exit passage 94 in the lowerwall is through drilled midway between recess 93 and entrance passage 94to provide a slightly elongatedpassage 102 and shank 95 is bent inwardlyat 103 and then return bent at 104 to dispose its threaded shank end 96in laterally centered relation to rodlike head 101. In this form of theinvention, the shank 95 is threaded through passage 94 then canted topass its thread shank end 96 into and through elongated passage 102until the L-bolt assumes the position shown in FIG. 10. Thisconstruction places the nut 97 in housed relation between the two opensides of loop 98 minimizing the possibility ofinjury should a child hangby his hands from and swing on tubular member 91 or in playing passeshis head under crossmember 91 near loop 98.

Referring now to FIGS. 13 and 18, detailing the ladder steps or rungs 25designed for use as seats as well as ladder steps or rungs, each step 25comprises a one piece injection molded structure designed to provide atread plate 111 of maximum width (2% inches) along its lateral centertapering toward its opposite ends where it merges into the top ends ofright angularly related, dependent, elongated, sleevelike, tubularmounting formations 112 having peripheral curved sidewalls 113 (FIG. 13)comprising arcs of a circle having a radius of 9/16 inches into whichthe tread plate edges merge at a tangent, This unique tread plate shapeprovides a central seating area of substantial width flanked on eitherside-by-step areas 114 (FIG. 13) of reduced width disposed adjacent themounting formations 112 which are conveniently disposed (See FIG. 2) foruse as stepping areas in ascending and descending using either thecenter run 62 or 63 or adjacently related runs 62- 62, 62-53, 63-62, or63-53 as hand hold ladder rails.

Tread plate 111 is rigidified by the provision of integrally formeddepending skirts 115 along the edges of tread plate 111 mergingtangentially at their opposite ends into curved sidewalls 113 ofmounting formations 112 as indicated at 116 in FIG. 15 and respectiveaxially spaced pairs of crosswebs 117 equidistantly spaced from themidpoint of treadplate 111 and crosswebs I18 equidistantly spaced fromcrosswebs 117 as best seen in FIG. 14 and 15.

The outer wall face of each mounting formation 112 lying between theouter ends of dependent skirts 115 is provided with a full lengththickened rib 119 providing a flat face 121 for abutting contact withthe securing nut of nut and bolt assembly 60 while the opposing outerwall face in surrounding relation to the through aperture 57 is providedwith a thickened boss 122 providing a similar flat face 121 for abuttingcontact with the opposing flat face of the bolt head of nut and boltassembly 60. As a result of this rib and boss construction a widegripping area of the tubular runs 62, 63, 53 underlying the bolt headand nut is assured when the bolt and nut assembly is tightened therebypositively fixing each step or rung 25 in its selected vertically spacedrelation. Preferably, the upper face of tread plate 111 as its center isformed with a depressed recess [23 for receiving the manufacturer'strademark or like identification (not shown) and the area outside ofrcccss 123 is formed with a hohnail tread I24 (FIGS. [3 and I4) tonssurc a nonslip tread surface. The lower edge of skirts [I5 isthickened at the center and to a progressively lesser degree outwardlytoward each end as indicated at 125 (FIGS. 13, I6, 17, and 18) to betterresist sidewise blows from the childrens feet when using the steps orrungs 25 as a ladder.

While the slide board approach platform 26 and table and bench seatplatforms 27 and 28, may be variously constructed, the present inventioncontemplates a novel construction which may be preassembled without theneed of separablel fastener elements for unitary installation. Whilethis novel platform structure is here shown for use in providing slideapproach platform 26, table platform 27 and bench seat plat- 1 for homeyard, and porch gliders, for bench seats designed for general'use, andfor picnic and table structures of general utility.

As will appear from a consideration of FIGS. 11 and 12 of the drawingsdetailing the table platform 27, each platform comprises a pair ofidentical platform support channels 131 and a pair of platform channels132, which, in the case larger surface areas or abutting surface areasare desired, can be multiplied as desired.

Referring for the moment to support channels 131, each support channelcomprises a channel member of a preselected length comprising a pair ofspaced flanges 133 and 134 interconnected along adjacently related sidesby an integrally formed web 135 through drilled at 136 adjacent theopposite ends adapting support channel 131 for bolted connection at 38(FIG. 1) to frame runs 36, 79 in the case of platforms 27 and 28 and toruns 53, 62 and the slide board hand and support rails 137 in the caseof platform 26. Through drilled openings 136 will be omitted, of course,in cases where such a bolted connection is not required or will berelocated in other selected locations along web 135 where a differentbolted connection is required.

As best seen in FIG. 11, the free ends of flanges 133 and 134 terminatein vertically spaced aligned relation and are respectively provided withan inturned, slightly spaced, return bent lip 138 and an inturned rolledlip 139. Rolled lip 139 is suitably notched at longitudinally spacedintervals as indicated at 141 or a double width notch as indicated at142 in place of the two inner notches 14-1 for a purpose to be presentlypointed out.

Still referring to FIG. 11, platform channels 132 each comprise achannel member of a preselected length comprising a pair of spacedflanges 143 and 144 interconnected by a wide web 145 the center areas ofwhich may, if desired, be embossed as indicated at 146. The free ends offlanges 143 and 144 are provided with an inturned, slightly spaced,return bent lip 147 the thickness and spacing of which is designedtogether with the thickness of the respective flanges to freely fitwithin the notches 141 of support channels 131 as shown in FIG. 12 withthe outer flange faces lightly abutting the opposing notch edges therebyfixing the platform channels against lateral shifting movement relativeto support channels 131. In event a solid platform surface area ratherthan a divided platform surface area is desired then a pair of platformchannels 132 having respectively wider webs 145 would be selected so theadjacently related faces of flanges 143 and 144 could be face butted innotch 142 as shown in dot-dash lines in FIG. 12. Webs 145 at laterallyspaced points inwardly from their opposite ends are likewise buttonpunched as indicated at 148 to form upstanding interlock formationsproviding an upwardly semispherical wall facing toward the respectiveopposite ends of web 145 and a diametrically laterally disposed abutmentedge 149 facing toward the center of webs 145. The inward spacing ofthese button punched interlock formations 148 is preselected so that theaxial distance of abutment edges 149 inwardly from the adjacentlyrelated ends of webs 143 will approximate but not exceed the distancebetween the inner face of webs 135 and the inturned free edge of lips138 of support channels 131. This is done so that axial insertion of therespective ends of webs 145 into notches 141 or 141 and 142 of therespective support channels 131 will result in a momentary cammingengagement between the semispherical wall of the interlock formationsand the opposing surfaces of lips 138 raising lip 138 toward its supportflange 133 followed by a snapping back oflip 138 to its normal spacedposition as abutment edges 149 pass inwardly of the free edge of lip138. Once this insertion is made axial retracting movement of theplatformchannels 132 from support channels 131 can be accomplished onlyby destructive deformation of the portions of lip 138 in the area of theinterlock formations. It follows, therefore, that a permanentinterlocked assembly of the support channels 131 and platform channels132 is assured by this novel platform construction without the aid ofseparable fasteners.

Once the preassembly of platforms 26, 27 and 28 is effected, theserespective platforms are assembled as a unit onto skeletal frame 20 bythrough bolting their respective support channel ends as shown at 38 inFIG. 1 to frame runs 53 and 62 in the case of platform 26 with the upperend of frame run 63. which is flattened out as shown at 150 (FIG. 8),adapting it to be abuttingly clamped behind the adjacently relateddependent flange 143 of the end mounted platform channel 132 as shown inFIG. 1 and to frame runs 36 and 79 as shown at 38 in the case ofplatforms 27 and 28 as also shown in FIG. 1. The opposite end of slideapproach platform 26 together with the upper end of slide board 29 arethen through bolted to the straight runs 151 of hand rails 137 as shownat 38 in FIG, 1. The upper ends of the return bent runs 152 of handrails 137 are then through bolted as shown at 38 in FIG. 1 to frame runs53 and 62 in vertically spaced crossing relative above platform 26 whilethe lower ends of straight runs 153 of hand rails 137 are through boltedto frame runs 53 and 62 in cross relation at 38 using the same bolt andnut assemblies used to secure the telescoped ends of runs 53 and 62 tothe upstanding legs of the adjacent frame corner members 54 and adjacentU-shaped member 61 as seen at the lower right corner of FIG. 3. Thelower end of slide board 29 is supported in spaced relation to theground or other support surface by U-shaped support member 154 the upperleg ends of which are bent over and telescoped into the rolled slideboard side rails 155.

The exposed ends of support channels 131 are preferably fitted withtriangularly shaped, plastic, protective cups 159 the walls 161 of whichare through drilled at 162 to align with passages 136 of supportchannels 131 adapting the caps to be fixed in place with walls 161clamped between the channel webs and the opposing frame runs to whichthey are boltedv Similar protection is provided for the free ends ofcrossing tubular runs by cylindrical plastic cup members 163 (FIG. 1).

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departingfrom the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The presentembodiment is therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrativeand not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by theappended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and allchanges which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of theclaims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

l. A play center for preschool and grade school age children designed toencourage innovative play activity comprising a tubular skeletalstructure composed of respective pairs of side and end frame assemblieseach formed of interconnected tu bular support runs, upstanding endruns, and top cross runs defining closed skeletal shapes; meansrespectively interconnecting said frame assemblies to define a generallyrectangular skeletal frame structure delimiting a play area wherein saidend frame assembly support runs are outwardly offset beyond the ends tostabilize the play center against end tilting in use; a cross frameassembly disposed substantially midway of said side frame assemblies andhaving an upper cross run and oppositely extending end sections disposedlaterally outwardly of said side frames including inwardly directedsupport runs terminating at and fixedly connected to said side framesupport runs and laterally spaced vertical runs disposed outwardly ofsaid respective side frame assemblies and extending upwardly from saidinwardly directed support runs and fixedly connected to said cross frameupper cross run; means fixedlyiinterconnecting said laterally spacedvertical runs at said respec tive ends of said cross frame assemblycomprising vertically spaced ladder rungs, said ladder rungs at one sideextending the full height of said cross frame assembly to provide accessto the top of said play center and provide a climber section and saidladder rungs at said other side extending about onehalf the height ofsaid cross frame assembly to provide access to a point midway of theheight of said play center, and means fixedly connecting said innermostvertical run at each end of said cross frame assembly to a respectiveside frame upper cross run to rigidify said laterally outwardly disposedends of said cross frame assembly and stabilize the play center againstside tilting in use; slide board means including a slide board and aslide approach platform extending longitudinally of said other side ofsaid play center toward one end of said play center, said slide approachplatform having one end fixed to said laterally spaced vertical runs andplatform hand rails fixed to said laterally spaced vertical runs at saidother side and to the adjacently related upstanding runs of said endassembly at said one end of said play center and means fixedlyconnecting said hand rails to said slide approach platform to supportthe other end of said slide approach platform and the upper end of saidslide board of said slide board means; a swing suspended from the topcross run of said one end of said play center; an upper table platformand a pair of lower bench seat platforms providing a bench seatalongside of and below each edge of said table platform respectively;means fixedly connecting said table platform and said pair of bench seatplatforms in vertically spaced relation to the upstanding end runs ofthe other end section and the adjacently related upstanding end runs ofsaid side frame assemblies, the space between said bench seats and belowsaid table platform providing an open ended crawl tunnel passage.

2. The play center of claim 1 wherein said cross frame assembly uppercross run is provided with a laterally directed truss member havingdependent end runs telescopically associated with the adjacentlyrelated, innermost vertical runs of said cross frame assembly anddownwardly and inwardly inclined runs integrally joined at their innerlower ends to a laterally directed run fixedly connected to the midpointof said upper cross run of said cross frame assembly to strengthen saidcross frame assembly adapting it to resist compression forcestransmitted to said upper tubular cross run in use of the play center.

3. The play center of claim 1 wherein each of said ladder rungscomprises an injection molded plastic member comprising an elongatedplanar tread plate having dependent skirt portions along its oppositelongitudinal edges interconnected at equispaced points at oppositesidesofits longitudinal center by integral, laterally directedreinforcing webs and said tread plate is formed at its opposite endswith integrally formed, dependent annular sleeve members diametricallyend notched at their lower ends in alignment with the longitudinal axisof the tread plate, the outer wall surfaces of said sleeve member beingformed to merge smoothly into the outer faces of said dependent skirtsand the inner wall surface of which lying between the skirt ends isthickened throughout its length at opposite sides of said longitudinalaxis to reinforce the line of juncture between each sleeve member andthe tread plate and to provide a tangential fiat face providing fullbearing engagement with the abutment faces of the nuts of nut and boltassemblies provided to fixedly connect the respective sleeve members inselected vertical position along the respective vertical runs assembledin the respective sleeve through bores.

4. The play center of claim 3 wherein the outer face of each sleevemember in surrounding relation to the notch in its lower end isthickened to provide a tangential flat face segment providing fullbearing engagement with the abutment face ofthe bolt head ofsaid nut andbolt assemblies.

5. The play center of claim 1 wherein the top cross run of said one ofsaid end frame assemblies at equispaced distances from its opposite endsis provided with a through aperture dimensioned to freely pass the shankof an L-bolt and the upper wall only in axially spaced relation to saidthrough aperture is through drilled to form an L-bolt locking passage,said suspended swing includes a pair of straplike suspension membersformed at their upper ends with loops positioned to encircle said topcross run in overlying relation between said through passage and saidlocking passage, and said L-bolts have dependent locking lugs disposedto enter said locking passages and threaded shank ends inserted throughsaid through apertures to dispose the elongated head of said L-bolt inoverlying relation to said positioned strap loops and are provided withsecuring nuts which, when tightened, draw said elongated heads firmlyagainst said overlying portions of said loops forcing said portions ofsaid loops into clamped engagement with said top cross run therebyfixing said loops against axial and rotational movement relative to saidtop cross run.

6. The play center of claim 5 wherein said L-bolt shank between saidthreaded shank end and said elongated head is bent inwardly at itsjuncture with said elongated head at an acute angle and then reverselybent to dispose its threaded shank end in centered axial relation tosaid elongated head and said through aperture in said top cross run isformed by an entry end and an exit end offset in the direction of saidlocking passage to dispose said threaded shank end in coaxial relationto the longitudinal center of said elongated head whereby the securingnuts will be disposed approximately midway between the edges of saidstraplike suspension members so as to be housed by the loop to preventaccidental contact of playing children with the nut.

7. The play center of claim 1 wherein said slide approach platform, saidtable platform and said bench seat platform each comprise a pair ofsupport channel members disposed in laterally spaced relation with theirchannel openings in opposed facing relation and delimited along theirupper edges by an inturned lip and delimited along their lower edges byan inturned lip having longitudinally spaced notches cut therein atpredetermined intervals and a plurality of platform channel membersdisposed in preselected spaced relation lengthwise of said supportchannel members with their channel openings facing downwardly, the endsof their web portions formed with laterally spaced, upwardly directedbutton punches engaged behind the inturned lip delimiting the upperedges of the channel openings of said support channel members to fixsaid platform channels against axial withdrawal from said opposedsupport channel members, and their dependent channel forming flangesdisposed in preselected spaced notches of said support channels to fixsaid platform channel members against relative movement axially ofsaidsupport channel members.

8. The play center of claim 7 wherein the web portion of each of saidsupport channel members adjacent its opposite ends is formed with a boltpassage adapting said support channel members for selective boltedconnection to the respective upstanding runs of said end frameassemblies at said other end of said play center and to the respectiveadjacently related upstanding runs of said side frame assemblies.

9. The play center of claim 8 wherein the platform channel members ofsaid slide approach platform and said table platform are disposed inclose side-by-side relation adjacent the longitudinal center of saidchannel support members and the platform channel members of said benchseat platform are disposed in widely spaced relation adjacent theopposing ends of said channel support members to properly relate theseats to the table platform.

10. The play center of claim I wherein said side frame assemblies areeach composed of a support run having upwardly and outwardly inclinedends, a pair of upstanding side members having a straight runtelescopically fitted to and bolted to the upwardly and outwardlyinclined ends of said support run and an inturned upper end lying in theplane defined by said support run and said straight run and a wideinverted V- shaped run telescopically fitted to and bolted to theinturned upper ends of said side members and said end frame assemblieseach comprise respective U-shaped support runs the ends of which areinclined upwardly and toward the respective opposed ends of said sideframe assemblies, a pair of upstandthan its associated straight tubularrun, and a U-shaped top cross run having its end portions telescopicallyfitted to and bolted to the return bent upper ends of said related pairsof upstanding members.

UNITED STATES [PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,601,397 Dated Aug. 24, 1971 Inventor(s) Edward T. Carlin Bobbie L. White Itis certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and thatsaid Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 1, line 74, change "Uhaped" to --U-shaped.

Column 4, line 67, insert after 38 -by similar nut bolt and nutassemblies and having their lower ends adapted to be telescoped into andthrough bolted at 38-.

Column 7, line 55, change "from" to --form-.

Column 8, line 60, change "of" to --on-.

Column 8, line 64, change "as" to -at-.

Column 10, line 25, change "relative" to --relation--.

Signed and sealed this 18th day of April 1972.

(Sl-JAL) Attest:

EDWARD I LFLETCIIER ,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK At testing Officer Commissioner of Patents USCOMM-DC 50376-1 69 ORM POJOSO (10-69! u s.sovsnumzu'r Pmrmucornc: I959 o-see-saa

1. A play center for preschool and grade school age children designed toencourage innovative play activity comprising a tubular skeletalstructure composed of respective pairs of side and end frame assemblieseach formed of interconnected tubular support runs, upstanding end runs,and top cross runs defining closed skeletal shapes; means respectivelyinterconnecting said frame assemblies to define a generally rectangularskeletal frame structure delimiting a play area wherein said end frameassembly support runs are outwardly offset beyond the ends to stabilizethe play center against end tilting in use; a cross frame assemblydisposed substantially midway of said side frame assemblies and havingan upper cross run and oppositely extending end sections disposedlaterally outwardly of said side frames including inwardly directedsupport runs terminating at and fixedly connected to said side framesupport runs and lAterally spaced vertical runs disposed outwardly ofsaid respective side frame assemblies and extending upwardly from saidinwardly directed support runs and fixedly connected to said cross frameupper cross run; means fixedly interconnecting said laterally spacedvertical runs at said respective ends of said cross frame assemblycomprising vertically spaced ladder rungs, said ladder rungs at one sideextending the full height of said cross frame assembly to provide accessto the top of said play center and provide a climber section and saidladder rungs at said other side extending about one-half the height ofsaid cross frame assembly to provide access to a point midway of theheight of said play center, and means fixedly connecting said innermostvertical run at each end of said cross frame assembly to a respectiveside frame upper cross run to rigidify said laterally outwardly disposedends of said cross frame assembly and stabilize the play center againstside tilting in use; slide board means including a slide board and aslide approach platform extending longitudinally of said other side ofsaid play center toward one end of said play center, said slide approachplatform having one end fixed to said laterally spaced vertical runs andplatform hand rails fixed to said laterally spaced vertical runs at saidother side and to the adjacently related upstanding runs of said endassembly at said one end of said play center and means fixedlyconnecting said hand rails to said slide approach platform to supportthe other end of said slide approach platform and the upper end of saidslide board of said slide board means; a swing suspended from the topcross run of said one end of said play center; an upper table platformand a pair of lower bench seat platforms providing a bench seatalongside of and below each edge of said table platform respectively;means fixedly connecting said table platform and said pair of bench seatplatforms in vertically spaced relation to the upstanding end runs ofthe other end section and the adjacently related upstanding end runs ofsaid side frame assemblies, the space between said bench seats and belowsaid table platform providing an open ended crawl tunnel passage.
 2. Theplay center of claim 1 wherein said cross frame assembly upper cross runis provided with a laterally directed truss member having dependent endruns telescopically associated with the adjacently related, innermostvertical runs of said cross frame assembly and downwardly and inwardlyinclined runs integrally joined at their inner lower ends to a laterallydirected run fixedly connected to the midpoint of said upper cross runof said cross frame assembly to strengthen said cross frame assemblyadapting it to resist compression forces transmitted to said uppertubular cross run in use of the play center.
 3. The play center of claim1 wherein each of said ladder rungs comprises an injection moldedplastic member comprising an elongated planar tread plate havingdependent skirt portions along its opposite longitudinal edgesinterconnected at equispaced points at opposite sides of itslongitudinal center by integral, laterally directed reinforcing webs andsaid tread plate is formed at its opposite ends with integrally formed,dependent annular sleeve members diametrically end notched at theirlower ends in alignment with the longitudinal axis of the tread plate,the outer wall surfaces of said sleeve member being formed to mergesmoothly into the outer faces of said dependent skirts and the innerwall surface of which lying between the skirt ends is thickenedthroughout its length at opposite sides of said longitudinal axis toreinforce the line of juncture between each sleeve member and the treadplate and to provide a tangential flat face providing full bearingengagement with the abutment faces of the nuts of nut and boltassemblies provided to fixedly connect the respective sleeve members inselected vertical position along the respective vertical runs assembledin the respeCtive sleeve through bores.
 4. The play center of claim 3wherein the outer face of each sleeve member in surrounding relation tothe notch in its lower end is thickened to provide a tangential flatface segment providing full bearing engagement with the abutment face ofthe bolt head of said nut and bolt assemblies.
 5. The play center ofclaim 1 wherein the top cross run of said one of said end frameassemblies at equispaced distances from its opposite ends is providedwith a through aperture dimensioned to freely pass the shank of anL-bolt and the upper wall only in axially spaced relation to saidthrough aperture is through drilled to form an L-bolt locking passage,said suspended swing includes a pair of straplike suspension membersformed at their upper ends with loops positioned to encircle said topcross run in overlying relation between said through passage and saidlocking passage, and said L-bolts have dependent locking lugs disposedto enter said locking passages and threaded shank ends inserted throughsaid through apertures to dispose the elongated head of said L-bolt inoverlying relation to said positioned strap loops and are provided withsecuring nuts which, when tightened, draw said elongated heads firmlyagainst said overlying portions of said loops forcing said portions ofsaid loops into clamped engagement with said top cross run therebyfixing said loops against axial and rotational movement relative to saidtop cross run.
 6. The play center of claim 5 wherein said L-bolt shankbetween said threaded shank end and said elongated head is bent inwardlyat its juncture with said elongated head at an acute angle and thenreversely bent to dispose its threaded shank end in centered axialrelation to said elongated head and said through aperture in said topcross run is formed by an entry end and an exit end offset in thedirection of said locking passage to dispose said threaded shank end incoaxial relation to the longitudinal center of said elongated headwhereby the securing nuts will be disposed approximately midway betweenthe edges of said straplike suspension members so as to be housed by theloop to prevent accidental contact of playing children with the nut. 7.The play center of claim 1 wherein said slide approach platform, saidtable platform and said bench seat platform each comprise a pair ofsupport channel members disposed in laterally spaced relation with theirchannel openings in opposed facing relation and delimited along theirupper edges by an inturned lip and delimited along their lower edges byan inturned lip having longitudinally spaced notches cut therein atpredetermined intervals and a plurality of platform channel membersdisposed in preselected spaced relation lengthwise of said supportchannel members with their channel openings facing downwardly, the endsof their web portions formed with laterally spaced, upwardly directedbutton punches engaged behind the inturned lip delimiting the upperedges of the channel openings of said support channel members to fixsaid platform channels against axial withdrawal from said opposedsupport channel members, and their dependent channel forming flangesdisposed in preselected spaced notches of said support channels to fixsaid platform channel members against relative movement axially of saidsupport channel members.
 8. The play center of claim 7 wherein the webportion of each of said support channel members adjacent its oppositeends is formed with a bolt passage adapting said support channel membersfor selective bolted connection to the respective upstanding runs ofsaid end frame assemblies at said other end of said play center and tothe respective adjacently related upstanding runs of said side frameassemblies.
 9. The play center of claim 8 wherein the platform channelmembers of said slide approach platform and said table platform aredisposed in close side-by-side relation adjacent the longitudinal centerof said channel support members and the platforM channel members of saidbench seat platform are disposed in widely spaced relation adjacent theopposing ends of said channel support members to properly relate theseats to the table platform.
 10. The play center of claim 1 wherein saidside frame assemblies are each composed of a support run having upwardlyand outwardly inclined ends, a pair of upstanding side members having astraight run telescopically fitted to and bolted to the upwardly andoutwardly inclined ends of said support run and an inturned upper endlying in the plane defined by said support run and said straight run anda wide inverted V-shaped run telescopically fitted to and bolted to theinturned upper ends of said side members and said end frame assemblieseach comprise respective U-shaped support runs the ends of which areinclined upwardly and toward the respective opposed ends of said sideframe assemblies, a pair of upstanding members having a straight tubularrun telescopically fitted to and bolted to the respective upstandinginclined ends of said support runs and a return bent upper end angled toabuttingly engage and be bolted to the underside of the opposingstraight tubular runs of said respective side frame assemblies, said endframe return bent run being shorter in length than its associatedstraight tubular run, and a U-shaped top cross run having its endportions telescopically fitted to and bolted to the return bent upperends of said related pairs of upstanding members.